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THE WEEKLY E-PISTLE
news & update
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SERVING THIS SUNDAY
Celebrant: Rev. Cal Payne-Taylor
Preacher: Rev. Cal Payne-Taylor
Deacon: Rev. Lauren P. McCombs
Organist: Lauren Wittine
Acolyte: Louise Delafield
Greeter: Kathy Kennedy
Usher: Chris Creed
Altar Guild: Sarah Halsey
Reader: Paul Lovoi
Epistle: Sarah Halsey
Intercessor: Lenore Lovoi
LEM: Annemarie Redmond
Audio-Visual: Angela Hey, Bob Wrucke, Lincoln M., Eamon M.
Flowers: Pam Kaufmann
Coffee Hour: Jenny Lebsack
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Sunday, June 14
Flag Day
Church Service 10:00 am
Coffee hour 11:00 am
Tuesday, June 16
Outreach Planning Meeting 9:30 am
Outreach "end of school year" celebration!
at Alpine Inn 11:30 am
Friday, June 19
Parish office will be closed in
observance of
the Juneteenth Holiday
Celebrations
Birthdays:
Annemarie Redmond, Ross Soubirous, Pam Kaufmann, Rachel Bright
Anniversaries:
Andy & Courtney Pflaum, Susie & Bill Lattin, Liz & Stephen Laderman,
Greg & Rosemary Hintz
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Pray for the special needs of our congregation and lift up the following individuals to God in prayer:
Remembrance
Evelyn Adams, Ferris Beekley, L. Abbett Post, John H. Roberts, Nancy Naylor Badger, Isobel Christensen, John Webb Cance, Norman Hatter, Peter Egan Pratt, Pat Schmidt
Healing
Trish, Chet Wrucke, Allison Grey, Shahla,Trish Inguagiato, Steve Millard, Rev. Davidson Bidwell-Waite, John Terwilliger, Lisa Bonfield, Stannye Llewellyn, Bruce McCombs, David Riggs, Dede Jamison, George Mallinckrodt, Peggy Dubes
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you have Gmail...
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Photo of the Week
Celebrating Freedom, Living the Gospel.
Our garden's red, white, and blue blossoms reflect this season of remembrance and thanksgiving as we observe Flag Day and Juneteenth.
In the beauty of creation, we are reminded of God's steadfast love and our call to bring hope, healing, and compassion to all.
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Last Week's Highlights & Photos
are further down in the newsletter.
You don't want to miss them!
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Your generosity will help provide nourishment and hope to those facing hunger around the world.
Donate today at www.ccpvw.org/giving.
Please designate your gift: "Rise Against Hunger."
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Mark Your Calendars Now!
Night of Light Gala
October 17, 2026 at 6:00PM
Julia Morgan Ballroom, 465 California Street, San Francisco
Join us for the gala of the year as you support our mission of a Bay Area where all our neighbors have access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.
Night of Light Attire Inspiration
Disco Glam: Bring your cocktail best with a hint of Studio 54, sequins, metallic fabrics, velvet, bold prints, or
anything that catches the light. Dress to dance! (Alt: gold lamé dresses; flowing, iridescent jumpsuits; platform shoes; tight hot pants; and colorful bell-bottoms)
Celebrating Our Community
Your generosity will allow Episcopal Impact Fund and the grantee organizations and congregations we support to continue to make the Bay Area a better place for those living in poverty.
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Seeking A Lead for Snack Bag Filling in July: Outreach will be making 100 snack bags a week for 5 weeks for a Life Moves homeless kids summer camp in Menlo Park. A lead is needed for Sunday July 26th. Contact Kathy Kennedy.
Zoom Outreach Planning Meeting: Join us on Tuesday June 16th, 9:30 for an Outreach planning meeting. Use Zoom Meeting ID: 814 1980 9460 with Passcode: 761724. At 10:00 we will be joined by a representative from Rise Against Hunger. Send agenda items to Kathy Kennedy. At 11:30 join us at Alpine Inn for the Outreach "end of school year" celebration! Dutch treat. Contact Kathy Kennedy.
SpiritCare Service with Seniors: Singers, readers and hand-holders are needed on Sunday June 21st as we visit with seniors at Menlo Oaks Memory Care (1:30) and The Sequoias Memory Care (3:00). For Fathers Day we will talk about "Father" Abraham. “Rock-a my soul in the bosom of Abraham…Oh rock-a my soul.” Contact Angela Hey.
Coast House Dinner: Help make dinner for 70 at Coast House shelter in Half Moon Bay on Saturday June 27th. Sous chefs, bakers and container fillers are needed. Contact Ruth Ann Wrucke.
Save the Date for Rise Against Hunger: Saturday September 12th, 10:00. 100 volunteers needed to make 15,000 meals in 2 hours. The food packets we make go to the starving facing disasters like typhoons, drought and more. To learn more about RAH, sit in on our zoom call on Tuesday June 16th, 10:00. Contact Mary Soubirous.
Christmas in June & July for RAH: Help fill our "giving" tree with festive red, white and blue ornaments as we raise money for Rise Against Hunger. Donate $20 = 50 meals (white ornament), $100 = 250 meals (red ornament) or $1000 - 2500 meals (red, white and blue ornament). Raising $6100 = 15,000 meals for the starving abroad; we are over 20% of the way there. "Celebrate" the American value of helping the most vulnerable. Contact Mary Soubirous.
Collecting Food For the Palo Alto Food Closet: Need hearty soups, canned veggies, canned meat, pasta, beverages, ziplock bags, cereal, jams & jellies, salt & pepper, TP, paper towels, grocery bags with handles. Bring items to the marked bin in the breezeway.
Need Pots & Pans - we are seeking pots & pans plus cooking utensils for the 10 family Redwood Family House shelter in Redwood City. Bring items to the marked box in the church breezeway.
Hoptel: Provide hotel or full-sized toiletries, new men's undies (L/XL) and new men's socks every 90 days to this special short-term veteran's shelter in EPA. Put items in the marked box in the breezeway.
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Women’s Spirituality: meets on Wednesday morning from 10:00 - 11:30 remotely, on Zoom.
Contact Mary Jennings at emjennings@aol.com for more information. Women's Spirituality is on a break until Wed. June 24th when we start a new book.
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Highlights of the Week
Staff Retreat at St. Mark’s, Palo Alto
On Monday, June 1, we had a staff retreat at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to step away from daily responsibilities and spend intentional time together in fellowship and renewal.
The day included baking a rustic French apple tarte together, sharing lunch, and enjoying relaxed conversation as a staff. We also celebrated Deacon Lauren’s birthday, adding a joyful moment to the gathering. As part of our time together, we also spent time planning for the year ahead and looking toward upcoming programs, worship, and community life at the parish. It was an impactful and refreshing day that strengthened our connections.
Ordination at Grace Cathedral
On Saturday, June 6, Christ Church celebrated the ordination of our own Jocelyn A. Sideco, Program Coordinator, as a Deacon at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. She was ordained alongside other candidates for the Diaconate and the Priesthood in a wonderful service marking an important milestone in their ministries. Also among those ordained was Debie Thomas, a recent guest preacher and presenter at both our Sunday worship service and Women's Spirituality group, who was ordained to the Priesthood.
We offer our heartfelt congratulations and prayers to all who were ordained as they begin this new chapter of service in the Church.
Jesus in Jail: A Forum with Rev. Liz Milner
On Sunday, June 7, The Rev. Liz Milner joined us as our guest preacher and speaker. Following the worship service, she presented a forum titled "Jesus in Jail," where she shared insights into the important ministry of jail chaplaincy in Santa Clara County. Rev. Milner spoke about her calling to serve incarcerated individuals, her work as Executive Director of Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy, and ways chaplains provide spiritual care, support, and hope to those living behind bars. Her presentation offered a powerful reminder of compassion, justice, and Christ’s presence among all people.
A Challengingly Beautiful Fundraising Cycling Experience
On Sunday, June 7, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., we were honored to host more than 1,000 cyclists participating in The Sequoia, the Western Wheelers Bicycle Club’s annual fundraising ride.
Known as a “challengingly beautiful” cycling event, The Sequoia takes riders through the scenic coastal mountains, redwood forests, and communities of the Peninsula and Coast side while raising funds for local charities and cycling organizations.
Our back parking lot became a lively and welcoming rest stop where riders could pause, refresh, and enjoy the hospitality of our church community.
Special thanks to Angela Hey for assisting with the setup and providing tables and chairs among other contributions.
It was an inspiring day filled with community spirit, generous hearts, and the steady hum of bicycles rolling through our shared mission of service and support for the wider community.
Enjoy photos from all parish events
| | A wall adorned with crosses from around the world provided a beautiful backdrop for our retreat. | | A serene corner of St. Mark’s, where the gentle sound of flowing water invited rest and reflection. | | Teamwork in action! Father Matt, Deacon Lauren, and Music Director Lauren slice and prepare apples for our rustic French apple tarte | | Cara, our Preschool Director, expertly manages one of the most important steps: sautéing the apples. | | A retreat isn't complete without a selfie! Deacon Lauren, Jocelyn, and this writer paused for a photo together. | | |
Deacon Lauren and Father Matt prepare to roll out the dough, demonstrating the teamwork and fellowship that made our retreat so special.
...From planning to laughter and apple tarte, the retreat was a great reminder of the joy we find in working and growing together as a team.
| | A moment together before entering Grace Cathedral for the ordination service. | | With anticipation and joy, the group proceeds into Grace Cathedral. | | Caroline C. carries the Christ Church banner, followed by Father Matt, as Jocelyn and her family proceed into Grace Cathedral for her ordination to the diaconate. | | Caroline C. carries the Christ Church banner down the aisle, followed by Father Matt, in a beautiful moment of procession. | | Jocelyn and her family make their way down the aisle for this joyful and sacred occasion. | | Debie Thomas proceeds down the aisle for her ordination to the priesthood. | | |
A celebratory moment with Bishop Austin Rios.
Congratulations to the newly ordained
as they begin this sacred new chapter in ministry.
| | Rev. Liz Milner presents “Jesus in Jail” to an engaged audience, reflecting on her work in jail chaplaincy. | | | Angela welcomes cyclists taking a break at our Western Wheelers rest stop. | | Radio communication hub supporting the Western Wheelers ride throughout the day. | | Cyclists arriving at the rest stop for a well-earned break and refreshment. | | | A lively rest stop scene as riders refuel and relax together. | | A joyful day of hospitality closes with Angela smiling after another successful day of service and community. | | |
Announcements
Volunteers Needed: Coffee Hour Clean-Up
After Sunday service, we gather in the Parish Hall for coffee, treats, and fellowship, a special time to connect with our church family.
We need a few volunteers to help put tables and chairs away after Coffee Hour. Lending a hand ensures our Parish Hall is prepared for the week ahead.
Just pitch in after Coffee Hour, your assistance is greatly appreciated!
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Forward Day-by-Day Daily Devotions
The May - July small and large format booklets are available in the church and the office, or email Chantal ( admin@ccpvw.org ) to have one mailed to you.
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Carillon Preschool
Open Enrollment 2026-2027
Book a Tour Today!
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Sunday Morning Ride From the Sequoias to Christ Church
Rides are now provided by The Sequoias at 9:30 AM on Sundays with a return pickup time at 11:30. Contact the Sequoias Transportation Department at X4117 or sign up in the transportation binder.
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Important Notice
Phishing Scam Alert
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We want to make you aware of a recent increase in phishing scams targeting members of faith communities, including ours. In these scams, individuals impersonate church leaders by sending fraudulent emails or text messages requesting gift cards, money, or personal favors.
Please know: These messages are scams. No one from Christ Church, will ever request gift cards or cash from you via text or email.
If you receive a suspicious message, do not respond. Instead, contact the church office directly to verify its authenticity.
Thank you for your vigilance and continued care for one another.
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Senior Warden: Lena Perkins
Co-Junior Wardens: Paul Lovoi and Ruth Ann Wrucke
Betsy Alexander
Sarah Halsey
Andy Pflaum
Mercer Stronck
If you wish to contact our vestry members, please contact Chantal
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A Request
Dear family and friends,
I create and assemble this online newsletter.
Submission deadline for this newsletter is Monday at noon, otherwise articles may need to be published the following week.
Many thanks,
Chantal with a smile
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Book affiliate links benefit Christ Church
Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside | ccpvw.org
Carillon School | carillonschool.org
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